Type-writer desk



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. H. HEYWARD. TYPE WRITER DESK.

No. 585,914. Patented July 6, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JULIUS H. IIEYVARD, OF GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA.

TYPE-WRITER DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 585,914, dated July 6, 1897.

I Application filed April 8, 1897. Serial No. 631,281. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUs H. HEYWAED, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greeuville, in. the county of Greenville and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type- Writer Desks, of which the following is a speci fication.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in type-writer cabinets or supports; and it consists substantially in such features of construction, arrangement, and combinations of parts as will hereinafter be more particularly described.

The invention has for its object the provision of means for concealing the type-writer from View when the same is not in use and also to completely inclose the machine against the access of dust and dirt to the operative mechanism thereof, as well as to prevent injury to the machine.

The invention also has for its object the provision of simple and effective devices for supporting the table within the inclosure for the machine, as well as to provide means for enabling the machine to be thrown outward to a position for use and again returned to the inclosure, wherein it is concealed or contained when not in use.

The invention has for its still further object the provision of means for always maintaining the table in a truly horizontal position, so that the machine is not liable at any time to slip back and forward upon its supporting-table, and it is enabled to be held or supported in a much more stable position for use. This and other objects I obtain by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a cabinet-desk having my improvements embodied in connection therewith, the said view indicating the movable supporting-table for the type-writer in its lowered position within the inclosure for containing the same, and the type-writer simply being shown diagrammatic in order not to obscure the other parts. Fig. 2 is a similar view indicating the movable supporting-table in its projected elevated position, by which the type-writer is raised to a position to be operated upon... Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the several parts to more clearlyindicate the construction and operation thereof, the movable supportingtable being shown in its lowered position within the inclosure therefor. Fig. 4 is a similar View to Fig. 3, the movable table or platform being shown in its projected elevated position, to which it is brought by the raising or turning of the box or casing. Fig. 5 is a View of the movable table or platform in detail. Fig.6 is a side view of the box detached from the cabinet. 1

My invention is capable of a great many different constructions or embodiments, and while I have carried the same into effect in several different ways I prefer for the purposes of this application the more simple and effective embodiments, such, for instance, as I have herein shown.

The support or cabinet itself may of course be constructed in any preferred way-that is to say, with either a single or double pedestal and with or without a roll top; or, instead of this, simple walls or partitions may be employed as the supports for the working parts and may be adjusted to any style of desk.

As I have herein shown, ample provision is had for the accommodation of the knees of the person sitting at the cabinet or desk whether the type-writer be in its raised or lowered position. i

In the accompanying drawings, 1 represents an ordinary cabinet desk or support, which is preferably provided with two pedestals 2 2, (one on each side,) a central inclosure or space 3 being provided for the accommodation and working of the parts constituting my present invention. As a practical necessity to my invention some form of inclosing box or casing is employed, through the medium of which the movable table or platform is operated to be raised and lowered within the inclosure or space 3, and while 1 box or casing having two sides 5 5, a front portion 6, a top portion 6, and preferably a rear or back portion 7, although, if desired, this back portion may be dispensed with and the back of the cabinet or support itself relied upon to close the rear of the box whenever the latter is in its lowered position. The sides of the said swinging box or casing 4 at the front are inclined inwardly from the top, as shown at a, and the front portion 6 is in two parts I) c, of which the latter is hinged to the former and is caused to be operated upon to be turned outwardly at the proper time, as will hereinafter appear. This front may, if desired, be hinged close under the top of the box, so that the whole of it may be raised. The said box or casing could be supported to swing or turn in the space 3 between the pedestals in any suitable manner, but preferably through each side thereof at the point cl I pass a bolt 8 and which bolts also pass through the sides of the adjacent walls of the pedestals 2 2, and the box or casing is thus normally held in a horizontal position with its top portion 6 even or flush with the writing-bed of the desk.

In order to prevent the box from being depressed at the forward end, some suitable counterbalance-weight could be employed, but preferably I construct and arrange the parts in such manner that when the box is down the rear end thereof comes up flush with a strip 12, constituting a part of the writing-bed of the desk. In this way no sinking or depression of the box will occur whenever a person is engaged at the desk writing while the type-writer is in its lowered position.

In connection with myimprovementsI e1nploy a movable supporting table or platform 13, upon which the type-writer machine is placed or held, and it is the purpose to maintain this table or platform always in a truly horizontal position both while the same is in its raised or lowered position, as well as during the movement of the same from one position to the other. Many different devices could be resorted to for this purpose, but preferably I employ the construction and arrangement of parts herein shown. Thus pendent from the lower edge of each of the side portions of the swinging box is a block or bracket 1 1, through which block passes a rod 15, that extends across the space 3 between the pedestals. Likewise pendent from the side edges of the movable supporting table or platform 13 at 16 are the lugs orhangers 17, which maybe placed more to the front or rear end of the box, as may be desired, in order to raise or lower the table to a greater extent, and which may be made longer or shorter, as may be desired, to adjust the height of the table, and through which the rod 15 also passes, the table being free to turn on the rod by means of this form of support therefor. The purpose of the construction and arrangement is that when the box or casing is in its lowered position the table shall be drawn inward and lowered within the space or inclosure 3, but that when the said box or casing is turned upward to the extent of a quarter-circle, or, say, to a half-reversed position, the said table or platform will be raised or elevated and at the same time projected forward to bring the typewriter to position for use. To effect this, I so construct the supporting devices for the table that they perform or effect both functions.

It will be noted that the brackets 14 are cut a half-inch thicker, more or less, than the sides of the box, and said brackets are screwed or-otherwise secured in place with their outer surfaces flush with the outer surfaces of the sides of the box. In this way when the box is turned upward and the table elevated to position for use the forward edges of the brackets are brought immediately beneath the table and the table thus furnished with a firm and stable support. Thus in each of the side portions of the swinging box or casing I form a curved slot 17 and through each of which slots passes a projection or bolt 18, that is stationary in the side of the pedestal and which also supports the upper end of a thin iron support 19, the lower ends of the said supports being pivoted at 20 to the opposite side edges of the movable table or platform. In the raising and lowering of the box or casing the said supports 19 change positions, respectively, as is represented in Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 3 clearly representing the position when the platform is lowered, and Fig. 4 showing clearly their position in the raised or elevated position of the platform.

The lower partc of the front portion 6 of the box is hinged at 21 to the upper part 1) thereof, or, if desired, the whole front could be hinged immediately at the top beneath the under side of the top of the box, and projecting from said lower part 011 the inner side either at one or both ends is a block 22, which is disposed in the path of the bolt 18, which strikes the block in the movement of the box or casing to be elevated, and thus the said lower part c is caried outward to the position shown in Fig. 2 and may be utilized as a copyholder while the type-writer is in use. It may be stated that the inner end of the bolt is of course made long enough to operate in the manner stated. WVhen the box or casing is lowered, the hinged part c of the frontportion may be readily turned down again into place, and thus serve to prevent access of dust and dirt to the machine. From the inclined position of the said front part it will be seen that ample room is provided for the accommodation of the knees of a person sitting at the desk while the type-writer is lowcred.

It is obvious, of course, that while I have described certain peculiar details of constructions of the several parts various immaterial changes therein could be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. In some instances I may not find it necessary, for instance, to employ any counterbalances for the platform and machine, but preferably I secure to the under side of the top of the box at 30 a coun terbalancing-weight 31, which serves to steady the machine, as well as the devices which support and elevate and lower the same. This weight could be otherwise disposed with equal effect, and in like manner I am enabled in some further instances to resort to reasonable changes in the general construction and arrangement of parts.

The operation is as follows: When the movable table or platform, together with the machine, is in its lowered position within the inclosure or space 3, the parts are in the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, respectivelythat is to say, the inclosing box or casing 4 will be in a horizontal position, with the top portion 6 thereof flush with the writing-bed. The rear end of the box comes up flush or even with a longitudinal strip 12, forming a part of the upper surface of the desk, and in order to maintain the movable box in its horizontal position some suitable locking device is preferably employed, and while this device could be constructed in various Ways I prefer the use of a spring-actuated bolt (indicated at A) which automatically engages with a keeper or slot (not shown) formed on the under side of the top portion 6 of the box at or near the forward end thereof. WVhenever it is desired to release the box for the purpose of elevating the same, the said sliding bolt is simply drawn back by taking hold of a small knob or other projection shown as arranged thereon. The construction of this locking device could be changed and altered in immaterial respects, and therefore I am not limited as to its construction and arrangement. While the box is in this position, the bolts 18 on the upper ends of the supports 19 are at the upper ends or extremities of the slots 17 in the sides of the box, and the said supports extend rearwardly into the inclosure 3 at their lower ends, and the hinged part c of the front of the box will be closed down. In this way the machine will be protected from dirt and injury and at the same time will be concealed from view and out of the way, and it may be secured by locking the box 4 in the described way to the desk.

Now when it is desired to bring the machine to a position for use, the top 6" is grasped at its front edge, and the box is turned upwardly and half-reversed, or, in other words, is raised to the position indicated at Fig. 1, and the other parts ordevices will also assume the positions shown in said figure. Inturnin g the box upward in the manner described the slotted sides of the box move upon the bolts 18 until the position of the slots is about reversed, the said bolts being finally at the lower extremities of the slots when the box or casing reaches a substantially vertical position.

It is desirable to brace the box in its open position, so that there will be no tendency of the box to close accidentally, and while different forms of braces could be employed for this purpose I prefer what is known as the ordinary knuckle brace, comprising two parts on a, hinged together at 0 and having the ends thereof secured, respectively, to the edge of the top portion of the movable box and to the bolt 18, hereinbefore referred I might use one of these braces on each side of the box, but have simply shown the same at one side, and which can be seen by referring to Fig. 1, where it is shown in its half-open position. In the full-open position of the box the parts m n of said brace become straightened out, whereas when the box is lowered or closed down the parts of said brace fold together and are accommodated in the space between the inner side of the pedestal and the side of the box. As the box is turned upward the bolt 18 strikes or impinges upon the block 22, and the lower hinged part c of the front of the box is carried outward in the manner described; also, as the box is carried or turned upward the point of support of the table or platform is carried through the arc of a circle of which the point dis the center, and the table is thus not only elevated, but is projected forward as the box is turned the said table or platform will always be maintained in a truly horizontal position.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. The combination in a type-writer cabinet or support, of a box or casing swinging or turning upon a support, a movable table or platform between the sides of the box, and connections between said box and table whereby the latter is maintained in a horizontal position in both positions of the box as well as during the movement of the box from one position to the other, substantially as described.

2-. The combination in a type-writer cabinet or support, of a box or casing adapted to be raised and lowered on a support, a movable table or platform loosely mounted or suspended between the sides of the box, and connections between said box and table whereby the latter is maintained in a horizontal position in both positions of the box as well as during the movement of the box from one position to the other, substantially as described.

3. The combination in a type-writer cabinet or support, of a box or casing having a swinging or pivotal support upon which the box is adapted to be raised and lowered, a movable table or platform raising and lowering with the box, and connections between said box and table whereby the latter is projected and withdrawn as the box is raised and lowered, substantially as described.

i, The combination in a type-writer cabinet or support, of a box or casing adapted to be raised and lowered on a support, a movable table or platform, and sliding reversible connections between the said box and table whereby the latter is projected forward and elevated, or vice versa, accordingly as the said box or casing is raised or lowered, sub stantially as described.

5. The combination in a type-writer cabinet or support, of a box or casing adapted to be raised and lowered on a support, and formed in its sides with curved slots, a movable table or platform mounted loosely on a support in the box, and supporting-bars having at their upper ends projections extending into the slots, and being loosely connected at their lower ends to the side edges of the table, substantially as described.

6. The combination in atype-writercabinet or support, of a box adapted to be raised and lowered on a support, and having at its front a permanent and a hinged closing-section, the latter having a projection on its inner side, a movable table and reversing connections between said table and box, a part of which connections being adapted to engage the said projection as the box is raised, substantially as shown and for the purpose described.

7. The combination in a type-writer cabinet or support, of a box or casing adapted to be raised and lowered on its support, a movable table or platform, connections between said box and table whereby the latter is maintained in a horizontal position in both positions of the box as well as during the movement of the box from one position to the other, and a jointed brace working in the space between the box and the pedestal of the desk, and having its upper and lower ends respectively in movable connection with said box and the inner side of the pedestal, substantially as described.

8. The combination in a type-writer cabinet or support, of a box or casing having brackets pendent from the sides thereof and adapted to be raised and lowered on a support, a movable table or platform, and sliding reversible connections between the said box and table whereby the latter is projected and elevated, or vice versa, accordingly as the box is raised or lowered, said brackets being constructed and arranged to come directly beneath the table when the latter is in its raised position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JULIUS H. HEYXVARD.

Witnesses:

SUsIE H. GLovER, JAMES ALTOM. 

